Apparatus for directing applicators into bottles



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 K. WYSOCKI Oct. 22, 1957 APPARATUS FOR DIRECT-ING APPLICATORS INTO BOTTLES Filed April 27, .1956

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K. WYSOCKI Oct. 22, 1957 APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING APPLICATORS INTO BOTTLES Filed April 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

K. WYSOCKI Oct. 22, 1957 APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING APPLICATORS INTO BOTTLES Filed April 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 26 gflg 7 25 FIG 4 Oct. 22, 1957 K. wYsocKl 2,810,249

APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING APPLICATORS INTO BOTTLES Filed April 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 'ice 2,810,249 APPARATUS FOR DIRECTmG APPLICATORS INTO BOTTLES Kaz mier Wysocki, Maywood, N. 1.," as'signor to Progressilyie Machine Company, Hacken's'ack, N. 1., a partners P A lication-A tair], 1956, Serial No. 581,203

19 Claims. (Cl. 53-317 General The present invention is directed" to apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers.

In the packaging of liquids such as eye drops, nose drops, iodine, nail polish and the like into small containers or bottles, it is customary to seal the bottles with a closure containing an applicator such as a tube, a solid glass rod, or a small brush on the end of a stem. This closure may be forced into the mouth of the bottle or may be of the screw type. Since such containers are usually small and have tiny mouths, it is extremely difficult to insert the applicator-type closures into those mouths without mishaps, particularly at high speeds. Heretofo're, insofar as applicant is aware, high-speed apparatus which reliably inserted such'closures into bottleshas not been available.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers.

It is another object of the invention to'provide a new and improved apparatus of thetype just mentioned which is capable of reliable operation at high speeds.

In accordance with a particular form of theinvention, an apparatus for directing the applicators of appli cator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprises at least one endless means including'the'rjeon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements. The apparatus also includes means for moving the endless means so that at least some of the placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned rotation with the mouths of the spaced containers on the conveyor. The directing apparatus further includes means cooperating with the applicator guide portions of the aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in the funnels.

For a better understanding" of the presentinvention, together with other and further objectsthereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. l is a plan view of an automatic capping or closure applying'machine including an apparatus in accordance with the invention for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the capping machine;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of that machine taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.1;

2,810,249 Patented Oct. 22', 1957 Figs. 6a-6d are representations of several types or closures which may be employed with the apparatus of the presentinvention; N

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified forth of the applicator directing apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a similar View ofanothermodification of the.

applicator directing apparatus; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the Fig: 8 apparatus.

Description of Fig. 1 closure applying machine and applicator directing apparatus Referring now more particularly to the automatic capping or closure-applying machine of Figs; 1 and 20f the drawings, there is represented a portion of a conveyor 10 for delivering to a notched rotary disk 12 at position B containers such as small-mouth bottles 11, 11 which are adapted to hold a particular fluid such asnail polish. The bottles" are therefore'of a type which are adapted to receive applicator-type closures 13a, 13a (see 6a) eachcomprising a' hollow internally-threaded body" po1' tion 14a and a stem applicator 15a including a brush 16; It will be understood, however, that other applicater-type closures may be employed such as the closure 13b of Fig. 6b which has a glass rod applicator 15b, the closure 13c of Fig. 6c which has a body portion 141:

and a tubular applicator 150, the body portion being adapted to be'inserted into the small mouth of a bottle as by a press fit, or the closure 13d of Fig. 6d of the spaced bottle-receiving notches 77, 77 thereon and a curved guide rail .18 for maintaining thebottIes'on a platform 19 beneath a portion of the disk;

The automatic capping machine of Figs l and 2 also includes an apparatus 20 in accordance with the inventionfor directing the applicators 15a of the applicatortype closures 13a into the mouths of the small-mouth bottles in a manner to be described subsequently. This apparatus includes an endless means or disk-type'rotdr 17 for conveying the bottles thereon in spaced relation. The rotor" and the disk 12 are drivenin a conventional manner in the directions indicated in'Fig. 1 and at-suitable speeds but in synchronous relation'by a motorwfnot shown) within the-base 21 (see Fig. 2) of the-apparatus. The rotor 17 has thereon near its periphery (see Fig. 4) spaced placement means 22,22 which include applicator guide portions in the general form of cooperatingpairs of funnel elements 23; 23. Each funnel element is actually a half funnel mounted on the end of a pivoted arm 24 carried by and suitably keyed toflor secured to a vertical shaft 25 extending normally of the rotor 17 and rotatable therein: Each arm-24:has=gear' teeth 26, 26 engaging the'corresponding gearteeth on'a cooperating adjacent arm. Oneof' the arms'ofeach .pair has a rocker arm 27 securedthereto'at one-:end; Each rocker arm cooperates with the upper arm 70 of a beill=crank mechanism 71 which-includes a .vertical .pivot 72-ai1d a lower arm 73. (See also Fig.- 3'.) Each armgcarries :a cam follower 28 (Fig. 3) that rides against a fixed disk cam*29 positioned beneath the rotor 17'. This cam, as will'be explained:subsequently, is shaped soas periodically to oscillate certain of the pairs of funnel elements 23, 23

;-portion of the closure in the funnel.

about their shafts 25, in a manner to permit a springplicator of the closure to be directed through the aperture in the base of the funnel while retaining the body The funnel elements have depending half-skirt portions 31, 31 as reprewith individual bottles appearing at the position in which a bottle is presented to have its closure screwed thereon.

At position A represented in Figs. 1 and 2, a suitable declined conveyor 32 associated with a hopper 175,

. both of which are represented in phantom, are employed to bring individual closures into a position to drop with :their applicators lowermost into the openings in a starwheel feed mechanism 76. The starwheel of that mech- -'anism rotates in the direction indicated in Fig. l and,

near the exit end of the starwheel, the jaws of a conventional rotating chuck 43 (see Fig. 2) engage a closure 13a in the manner better represented in Fig. 3 and carry the closure clockwise (Fig. 1) toward the exit end C -of the apparatus 20. The interior of each chuck con- 1 above the rotor 17. In addition to being rotated in syn-' chronous relation with the rotor 17, the chucks are actuated. vertically in a predetermined manner by a cam roller 35 confined in a cam track 36 disposed in an upper cylindrical wall 37 of the apparatus 20. Details of the mechanism for actuating the chucks 43, 43 and the rotor 17 are shown in Fig. 3 and will now be described.

A fixed vertical cylindrical post 38 is secured at its :lower end by a nut 39 and key 40 to a fixed base casting 41 .of the apparatus 20. Post 38 is confined at its upper in the top 42 which in turn is secured to a fixed base member 46 in the base 21 (see also Fig. 2) by :vertical uprights 45, 45. A member 47 (see Fig. 3) is freely rotatable about the upper end of the post 38, and from the periphery of the latter there depends a plurality of spaced fixed vertical guide rails 140, 140 (see Fig. 3a).

Riding freely on wheels 141, 141 confined by trucks 142, 142 between the rails is a hollow support 48 for the cam roller 35. Slidably mounted within this support is a sleeve 49, and a coil spring 50 resiliently urges the lower end of sleeve 49 away from the lower end of support 48. A threaded pin 51 is confined in support 48 and its inner end rides in a vertical groove 52 in sleeve 49 and limits the extent of the vertical movement therebetween. A splined hollow shaft 53 is arranged for axial and rotational movement about a closure-ejecting rod 139 and has secured thereto at its upper end a bearing 54 which in turn is confined in the lower end of sleeve 49. The upper end of each closureejecting rod 139 is secured to the member 47. One of the chucks 43 is secured to the lower end of each splined shaft.

A stationary gear 55 is keyed to the vertical post 38 and its teeth engage a planetary gear 56, the inner periphery of which makes a threaded engagement with a sleeve 57 having a flanged lower portion 58. Sleeve 57 is freely rotatable about the splined shaft 53. Sleeve 57 is also rotatable within a sleeve bearing 59 in a rotor 75 which is secured as by a key 76 to a rotating drive sleeve 78. Suitable bearings 79, 80, and 81 rotatably support the drive sleeve 78 on the center post 38. A master drive gear 108 is suitably coupled to the driving .sented in Fig. 3 which help to align individual funnels 4 motor of the apparatus in a manner not shown and is secured by a key 109 to the main drive sleeve 78. Vertical posts 82, 82 interconnect the rotor 75 and the bottlesupporting rotor 17 so that their rotation is synchronized. Rotor 17 is also keyed to the drive sleeve 78 by a key 83. A skirt 84 is secured to the peripheral portion of the flanged portion 58 of sleeve 57. The skirt 84 in turn carries a skirt 85 having a lower shoulder portion 86 of reduced diameter. A coil spring 87 is confined between the shoulder portion 86 and a metallic washer 88 which bears against a friction washer 89 on the lower surface of flanged portion 58. A second friction washer 91 is interposed between the top surface of a metallic disk member and the lower flanged portion 58 of sleeve 57. The member 90 is slidable vertically in the splines of shaft 53. The elements 58 and 84-91 just described constitute a slip clutch for driving the chuck 43.

When the closure 14a of an applicator 13a is being screwed into a bottle 11, it is usually necessary to grip the bottle resting on the rotor 17 to prevent the bottle from turning. This is accomplished by the mechanism represented in Figs. 3 and 5. Disposed in spaced relation near the periphery of the rotor 17 are a plurality of pivot shafts 92, 92, one of which is represented in Figs. 3 and 5. Each shaft is journalled in the rotor 17 and has secured thereto at its lower end an arm 93 carrying a cam roller 94 which rides in a cam groove 95 formed between a pair of annular members 96, 96 secured to the fixed base member 46. The cam groove 95 is circular except for a region 95' (see Fig. 5) which occurs near the position of the closed funnel element 23, 23 shown in the right-hand central region of Fig. 4. The rotor 17 has a plurality of fixed bottlegripping jaws 96, 96 secured to its periphery (see the single jaw represented in Figs. 4 and 5) and each carries a lining 97 of resilient friction material. with a jaw 98 arranged to pivot about the shaft 92 from its normally open position represented in dash-dot line construction to the closed full-line position. Each. jaw 98 has a lining 99 of friction material for gripping a bottle. Above each pivoted jaw is an arm 100 pinned to the shaft and containing at its end a recess 101 for receiving one end of a coil spring 102, the other end of which rests in a recess 103 in a lug 104 on the top portion of jaw 98. Each jaw 98 carries an upstanding lug 105 along one of its edges and is arranged to be engaged by the back face of arm 100 when the arm is turned counterclockwise by the shaft 92 as viewed in Fig. 5.

As represented in Figs. 1 and 2, a starwheel 106 cooperating with a fence 107 at position C is employed to remove the bottles 11, 11 with their attached closures 13a, 13a from the rotor 17 and deposit them on a suitable conveyor where they are dispatched to suitable carton filling machinery (not shown). Starwheel 106 is driven in synchronous relation with starwheels or disks 12 and 76 by the motor in the base 21.

Operation of apparatus 20 of Fig. 1

In considering the operation of the, automatic capping machine of Fig. 1 including the closure-directing apparatus 20 thereof, it will be initially assumed that the motor in the base 21 is driving the notched rotary disks or starwheels 76, 12, and 106 in proper synchronous relation with the rotor 17 so that closures 13a, 13a received from chute 32 are being deposited beneath successive descent!- ing chucks 43, 43 at position A while bottles 11, 11 supplied from conveyor 10 are deposited by disk 12 in spaced relation on the rotor at position B. The descent of successive ones of the chucks for gripping the closures is controlled by cam rollers 35, 35 riding in the cam track 36 as represented in Fig. 2. Rotation of the chucks 43, 43 about the post 38 (Fig. 3) is cflected by the master gear 108 which drives the sleeve 78 carrying the rotor '75. R0- tation of the latter serves to rotate the sleeve 57 in a large circle about the post 38, and the engagement of the plane- Each fixed jaw 96 cooperates.

gem-gee tary gear '6 connected to the sleeve 57 with the stationary gear 55 serves to rotate both the gear 56 and the sleeve 57 in sleeve bearing 59. The rotation of' the splined shafts 53, 53 and the chucks 43; 43 is effected by the slip clutches ina mannerexplained subsequently. Rotation of the rotor 75 about post 38 also causes the rotation of member 47 which supports the splined shafts 53, '53 and the rods 139, .1391

At position A (Figs. 1 and' 2), the camrollers'35' riding in track 36 pushes the hollow support 48 (Fig. 3) downwardly and causes the coil spring 50 to urge the sleeve 49 and the splined shaft 53 downwardly; The splined shaft 53 slides downwithin the cooperating sleeve 57 and bring the chuck 43 into a position to enclose the body portion of a closure 13a and grasp it firmly by means of its resilient member 44. During this downward movement of the chuck, it is being rotated about the rod 139 by the action of the fixed gear 55, the planetary gear 56, sleeve 57 and the other elements of the slip clutch in a manner to be explained shortly.

As the chuck and closure just mentioned travel to th left beyond position A, the cam roller 35 and the cam track 36 elevate the chuck as may be seen from Fig. 2 and carry it and its closure to position B (see Fig. 1). At position B the chuck and closure are brought substantially directly over a bottle which is being deposited on the rotor 17 by the notched disk 12 at the exit end of the latter. The bottle and rotor then move in synchronous relation in a clockwise direction toward position C, during which time the closure is suspended by the chuck over its corre* sponding bottle, and the funnel elements 23, 23' (seeFig; 4) ofthe spaced placement means 22, 22 are open as represented in all the positions but one. Since the cam followers 2'8, 28 on the lower arms 73, 73 of the bell-crank mechanisms 71, 71 ride on the circular portion of the fixed cam disk 29, the mechanisms 71, 71 through the intermediation of the vertical pivots 72, 72 and the upper arms 70, 70 engaging the rocker arms 27, 27" maintain those funnel elements in their open position until just prior to their arrival at position C.

During the synchronous rotation of the chucks, the closures therein, the rotor 17 and the bottles thereon from position B toward position C, the cam rollers 94, 94 (see Fig. 5) ride in the circular cam groove between annular members 96, 96. Just before the'bottles reach position C (and hence just before a cam roller 94 reaches region 95 in the cam groove 95) the pivoted bottle-engaging jaw 98 is in its open position as represented by the dash-dot line representation of the jaw. However when the cam roller 94' enters region 95', it rocks arm 93" in a direction to rotate shaft 92 and the upper arm 100 clockwise. Arm 100 pushes against spring 102' and rotates jaw 98. to its closed position, as represented by the solid-line construction, so that the friction linings 97 and 99 grip a bottle resiliently yet securely as may also be seen in Fig. 3. A pair of funnel elements 23, 23' come together a moment later as representedin the center right portion of Fig. 4 by virtue of the action of cam'disk 29 on the cam follower 28 cooperating with elements 73, 72, 70,- 27, and 25.

At position C cam track 36 depressescam roller 35 and in turn the rotating chuck 43 carrying a closure 13a. As previously explained during the description, hollow splined shaft 53 descends and is rotated about its axis in adirection to tighten the closure to its bottle. Sleeve57 is driven by gear 56, and the flanged portion" 58 of-the sleeve, acting through friction washer 91 and the disk 90 which rides in the splines of shaft 53, rotates the splined shaft-53 and the chuck 44 together with its engaged closure 13awhile thrusting the applicator 15a through the guiding funnel formed by the closed funnel elements 23,

, rotate and the closure is not damaged. The chuck 43 then risesunder the control of cam roller 35 and' cam track 36 whereupon the cam roove (see Fig. 5') infiuen'ces cam roller 94 in a direction to ermit jaw 98' to open and becumedisengaged'frem the" Bottle. The movement of'the cam roller 94 is such that shaft 92 and arm 100 travel counterclockwise; In so doing, arm 1G0 pushed against the upstanding lug on jaw'98' and swingsthe latter clockwise and out of engagement with the bottle. Starwheel' 106 at position C in Fig. 1 then engages the previously released bottle with its fastened closureand sweeps it off the rotor 17 on to a suitable conveyor where the bottles are carried to subsequent operations in the packaging procedure. Successive chucks carrying. c10- sures together with successive bottles on the rotor 17- are handled in the manner explained above in connection with a single chuck, its closure, and associated bottle. In the event a bottle did not appear at position C, it is desirable that the closure in the chuck 4315c ejected just beyond that position. This is accomplished by an upward bend in cam track 36 which momentarily lifts cam roller 35 and its associated track I42 sufficiently high in its guide rails 140' so as to expose the end of rod-1 39 in the chuck and eject the closure 13a from the chuck.

Descriptioh and eac pianation of apparatus of Fig. 7 The apparatus of Fig. 7"for directing the applicators of applicator type closures into the mouths of the bottles is similar to the apparatus of Fig. 1. Accordingly, corresponding elements are designated by' the same reference characters. An endless belt 20is employed'for receiving the bottles l l 11 from the distributor disk 12' andcarryingv the bottles in a spaced relation in a straight line. Other means of spacing, and where necessary, of positively holdingthe containers in their proper spacings, may also be employed. An endless means inthe form of a pair of chain belts 6U, 60 have portions extending in lines parallel to the belt 20 and include aroundthe periphery thereof spacedfunnel elements 23, secured to various of the chain links by lugs 61, 61 The belts are rotated in synchronous relation in the directions indicated by drive sprockets 62, 62. The spacing of' the chain belts 60,- 60 is such that as apair of the funnel elements 23, .23approach a bottle on the delivery end of belt 60, they proceed to encompass the top of a bottle, form a complete funnel for receiving a closure in the. manner described in connection with the corresponding position shown in 4, and permit the applicator to be dropped through the aperture in the base of the funnel into the mouth of the bottle. Successive funnelelements perform this function'and' move along. with the bottles on the straight-line conveyor belt20'. At the exit end of the chain beltseo, 60, the funnel elements'sepa-rate and'the bottles continue along the belt 20 to another work station where an additional operation such as screwingor inserting the body po'rtions'14'a of 'the closures 13a into the bottles may take 7 place:

Description and explanation of operation of Fig. 8 apparatus In Fig. 8 there is represented an apparatus which is a modification of that represe'nted'in Fig. 7. Correspondingelements are designated by the same reference numetals. Instea'd'of employing a pair of chain belts and pairs of cooperating funnel elements thereon, a single belt 60 is employed with spacedpe'ripheralelements 23, 23' that'cooperate with a fixedguide rail 65 having a downwardly sloping'surfa'ce 66 as more clearly repre sentedin the sectionalview of Fig. 7. The funnel elements 23 'and'the1sloping guide surface of rail 65 form funnelsf'or applicator aligning purpose as may "be'sfeem from Fig. 7. A" lower guide rail 6'7 cooperates with" a shoulder 68, 68 on the funnel elements 23, 23 to form a guideway for the necks of the bottles 11. But for the distinctions just mentioned, the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 8 is the same as that of the Fig. 7 apparatus.

While there'has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: at least one endless means including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

2. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: at least one endless means including about the periphery thereof spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

3. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicater-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: at least one endless means having a portion extending in a straight line and including around the periphery thereof spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in said straight line and in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body'portions of the closures in said funnels.

4. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a conveyor for carrying the containers in a spaced relation and in a straight line; at least one endless means having a portion extending in a line parallel to said straight line and including around the periphery thereof spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in said parallel line and in synchronous aligned relation with .the mouths of spaced containers on said conveyor; and

closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels. 5. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: an endless belt including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and a guide rail cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers While periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

6. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: an endless belt including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and a guide rail having a downwardly sloping surface and cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

7. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: a pair of endless means including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of a funnel element; means for moving said endless means so that pairs of said funnel elements of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor and create funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

8. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: a rotary endless means including thereon spaced placement means which. include applicator guide portions in the general form of tunnel elements; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means on said rotary means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

9. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: a pair of endless means each including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving portions of said pair of endless means in substantially the same direction and in synchronous relation so that at least a pair of corresponding funnel elements on said pair of endless means periodically come into aligned relation with an open-mouthed container on the conveyor and effectively create a complete funnel having an aperture in the base thereof which permits the applicator of the closure to be directed therethrough while periodically retaining the body portion thereof in said funnel.

10. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotor for conveying the containers thereon in spaced relation and including spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of cooperating pairs of funnel elements; means for moving said rotor and controlling said guide portions so that at least a pair of cooperating funnel elements thereon periodically come into aligned relation with an open-mouthed container on the rotor and elfectively create a complete funnel having an aperture in the base thereof which permits the applicator of the closure to be directed therethrough while periodically retaining the body portion thereof in said funnel.

11. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: a rotor including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said rotor so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically causing the funnel elements thereof to form funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

12. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotary conveyor for transporting the containers in spaced relation and including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of tunnel elements; means for moving said conveyor while controlling said guide portions so that at least some of said funnel elements periodically come into aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor and create funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

13; An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotor for conveying the containers thereon in spaced relation and including pairs of spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of tunnel elements; means for moving said rotor; a cam mechanism cooperating with said placement means during movement of said rotor for controlling said funnel elements so that at least a pair thereof periodically come into aligned relation with an open-mouthed container on the rotor and effectively create a complete funnel having an aperture in the base thereof which permits the applicator of the closure to be directed therethrough while periodically retaining the body portion thereof in said funnel, V

14. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small m'ou'th containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: at least one endless means including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of a funnel element; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperatingwiths'aid applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels including bases which engage the necks of the containers and have apertures in said bases which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers while periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels.

15. An apparatus for directing the applicators of applicator-type closures into the mouths of small-mouth containers travelling in spaced relation on a conveyor comprising: at least one endless means including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of a funnel element; means for moving said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of spaced containers on the conveyor; and means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically creating with the funnel elements thereof funnels having apertures in the bases thereof which permit the applicators of the closures to be directed therethrough into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers While periodically retaining the body portions of the closures in said funnels; means for depositing the applicators of the closures in said funnels and into the mouths of the containers; means for removing said placement means from aligned relation with the mouths of the containers; and means for securing the closures to the mouths of the containers.

16. An apparatus for applying applicator-type closures to the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: an endless conveyor for conveying the containers in spaced relation; at least one endless means disposed above said conveyor and including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for moving said conveyor and said endless means so that at least some of said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of some of the spaced containers; endless means including a plurality of chucks for conveying the closures therein in spaced relation to at least some of said placement means and to at least some of the containers on said conveyor; means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically actuating said funnel elements to a closed position and creating individual funnels having bottom apertures therein; means cooperating with said chucks for periodically directing the applicators of the closures through said apertures into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers and means for periodically opening said funnel elements after said direction of the applicators; said means cooperating with said chucks being effective after said opening to secure to the containers those closures having applicators directed into the mouths of the containers.

17. An apparatus for applying applicator-type closures to the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotary conveyor for conveying the containers in spaced relation; rotary means disposed above said conveyor and including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form. of funnel elements; means for rotating said conveyor and said rotary means so that said placement means periodically tion and creating individual funnels having bottom apertures therein;-means cooperating with said chucks for periodically directing the applicators of the closures through said apertures into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers; and means for periodically opening said funnel elements after said direction of the applicators; said means cooperating with said chucks being effective after said opening to secure to the containers those closures having applicators directed into the mouths of the containers.

18. An apparatus for screwing applicator-type closures to the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotary conveyor for conveying the containers in spaced relation; a first rotary endless means disposed above said conveyor and including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for rotating said conveyor and said rotary means so that said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of the spaced containers; a second rotary means including a plurality of chucks rotatable about their own axes and the axis of said second rotary means for conveying the closures therein in spaced relation to said placement means and to the containers on said conveyor; a first cam means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically actuating said funnel elements to a closed position and creating individual funnels having bottom apertures there in; a second cam means cooperating with said chucks for periodically directing the applicators of the closures through said apertures into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers; means for periodically opening said funnel elements after said direction of the applicators; said rotatable chucks being effective after said opening to screw to the containers those closures having applicators directed into the mouths of the containers; and means for holding said containers in a fixed relation on said conveyor White said closures are being screwed on said containers.

19. An apparatus for screwing applicator-type closures to the mouths of small-mouth containers comprising: a rotary conveyor for conveying the containers in spaced relation; :1 first rotary endless means disposed above said conveyor and including thereon spaced placement means which include applicator guide portions in the general form of funnel elements; means for rotating said conveyor and said rotary means so that said placement means periodically travel in synchronous aligned relation with the mouths of the spaced containers; a second rotary means including a plurality of chucks having slip clutches therein and rotatable about their own axes and the axis of said second rotary means for conveying the closures therein in spaced relation to said placement means and to the containers on said conveyor; a first cam means cooperating with said applicator guide portions of said aligned placement means for periodically actuating said funnel elements to a closed position and creating individual funnels having bottom apertures thereima second cam means cooperating with said chucks for periodically directing the applicators of the closures through said apertures into aligned relation with the mouths of the containers; means for periodically opening said funnel elements after said direction of the applicators; said rotatable chucks being efiective after said opening to screw to the containers those closures having applicators directed into the mouths of the containers; means for holding said containers in a fixed relation on said conveyor while said closures are being screwed on said containers; and means in each of said chucks for ejecting a closure in the event a container is not disposed therebeneath to receive that closure.

No references cited. 

